During which stage do bacteria grow and reproduce?

• A. Active stage
• B. Dormant stage
• C. Decline stage
• D. Reproductive stage

Answer: (A)

Growth and division happen when bacteria are actively metabolizing and thriving on available nutrients. In this active growth phase, cells replicate their DNA and split, so the population increases rapidly. Dormant is when activity slows or stops to survive stress, so no growth or reproduction occurs. Decline is when nutrients are exhausted and cells die faster than they form. Reproductive stage isn’t a standard label on its own—reproduction occurs during the active growth period, making the active stage the best description.